Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman
Freelance WriterMaurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade. Since becoming a full-time writer, she's produced thousands of articles on topics ranging from Social Security to investing to real estate.
Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade. Since becoming a full-time writer, she's produced thousands of articles on topics ranging from Social Security to investing to real estate. Maurie’s areas of expertise include retirement planning, mortgages, consumer debt and Medicare. She also covers economic and retail news. Maurie studied finance and creative writing at Binghamton University. After working in finance and marketing earlier on in her career, she decided to combine her two areas of study into a full-time job with the goal of helping people understand complex financial terms and make more informed money-related decisions. Her background in user experience also helps her produce content that’s easily digestible. When she's not busy working, Maurie enjoys hiking, reading, watching hockey and chasing after her dogs. And while she loves baking, she doesn’t cook nearly often enough.
Maurie Backman's Expertise
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LATEST
Retirement • Jan 04
Jim Cramer says achieving early retirement comes down to just 3 key assets in your investment portfolio
Here's a winning formula.
Retirement • Jan 04
Jim Cramer says achieving early retirement comes down to just 3 key assets in your investment portfolio
Here's a winning formula.
Managing Money • Jan 03
My 80-year-old mom is convinced she’s dating Elon Musk — and scammers took $50K from her. What now?
People over the age of 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to cyber scams.
Managing Money • Jan 03
My 80-year-old mom is convinced she’s dating Elon Musk — and scammers took $50K from her. What now?
People over the age of 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to cyber scams.
News • Dec 20
My aunt gifted me $55K after I gave birth, but I can’t tell anyone about the money. How do I spend it wisely?
Making the most of a gift like this can put your family on the right financial track.
News • Dec 20
My aunt gifted me $55K after I gave birth, but I can’t tell anyone about the money. How do I spend it wisely?
Making the most of a gift like this can put your family on the right financial track.
Taxes • Dec 17
I’m 65 and ready to sell my home to fund retirement, but I worry about capital gains tax. Could I get burned if I sell?
Letting things grow in value over time comes with a tax upside.
Taxes • Dec 17
I’m 65 and ready to sell my home to fund retirement, but I worry about capital gains tax. Could I get burned if I sell?
Letting things grow in value over time comes with a tax upside.
Investing • Dec 14
Are you overpaying on stock gains? 1 simple switch could mean paying lower taxes when selling (or none at all)
You just need the right strategy.
Investing • Dec 14
Are you overpaying on stock gains? 1 simple switch could mean paying lower taxes when selling (or none at all)
You just need the right strategy.
Managing Money • Dec 08
I’m 49 and tired of living paycheck to paycheck. How to break the cycle of financial struggle before it’s too late
Don't get stuck in the trap.
Managing Money • Dec 08
I’m 49 and tired of living paycheck to paycheck. How to break the cycle of financial struggle before it’s too late
Don't get stuck in the trap.
Life • Dec 02
My adult son lives with me and has a Wal-Mart job. I asked him for rent but he refuses to help. How do I resolve this?
Don't let your own long-term financial security suffer.
Life • Dec 02
My adult son lives with me and has a Wal-Mart job. I asked him for rent but he refuses to help. How do I resolve this?
Don't let your own long-term financial security suffer.
Investing • Nov 27
Wealth advisors are zeroing in on 4 'promising' safe growth sectors. Why investors are paying attention
Do these sectors already have a place in your portfolio?
Investing • Nov 27
Wealth advisors are zeroing in on 4 'promising' safe growth sectors. Why investors are paying attention
Do these sectors already have a place in your portfolio?
Retirement • Nov 24
Is it possible to retire and live off Social Security alone? Yes, but you may need to make a few sacrifices
Preparing for retirement could include a few tough decisions.
Retirement • Nov 24
Is it possible to retire and live off Social Security alone? Yes, but you may need to make a few sacrifices
Preparing for retirement could include a few tough decisions.
Retirement • Nov 24
A 53-year-old Texas man with no retirement savings may sell his home, but Ramsey Show hosts say he has other options
There's always hope in the Lone Star state.
Retirement • Nov 24
A 53-year-old Texas man with no retirement savings may sell his home, but Ramsey Show hosts say he has other options
There's always hope in the Lone Star state.
News • Nov 23
My aunt died and I’m shocked to learn I have to settle her estate. What to do when you're named executor
How to avoid feeling overwhelmed with the task.
News • Nov 23
My aunt died and I’m shocked to learn I have to settle her estate. What to do when you're named executor
How to avoid feeling overwhelmed with the task.
Employment • Nov 19
Boreout is this latest workplace trend that's crushing productivity and costing companies hundreds of millions
Boreout is the new burnout.
Employment • Nov 19
Boreout is this latest workplace trend that's crushing productivity and costing companies hundreds of millions
Boreout is the new burnout.
Investing • Nov 17
I’m 65, near retirement, with a $2M nest egg and no debt. Do I need to keep paying my financial planner at this point?
Just because you’re in a great place financially doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider extra help.
Investing • Nov 17
I’m 65, near retirement, with a $2M nest egg and no debt. Do I need to keep paying my financial planner at this point?
Just because you’re in a great place financially doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider extra help.
Real Estate • Nov 15
This FL doctor profits from tax ‘loophole’ and 6-figure return on short-term rentals. But owning Airbnbs is no vacation
Make sure tax benefits outweigh the costs.
Real Estate • Nov 15
This FL doctor profits from tax ‘loophole’ and 6-figure return on short-term rentals. But owning Airbnbs is no vacation
Make sure tax benefits outweigh the costs.
Retirement • Nov 10
My dad, 75, only has $31K in savings. How can I help him make the most of his $65K salary and prepare for retirement?
This situation isn’t hopeless, but you’ll need to get creative.
Retirement • Nov 10
My dad, 75, only has $31K in savings. How can I help him make the most of his $65K salary and prepare for retirement?
This situation isn’t hopeless, but you’ll need to get creative.
Real Estate • Nov 09
NY dad gave his son $117K, but his hidden motive made things awkward. Why Dave Ramsey says it was a ‘dumb idea’
"A gift is not a gift if it has conditions."
Real Estate • Nov 09
NY dad gave his son $117K, but his hidden motive made things awkward. Why Dave Ramsey says it was a ‘dumb idea’
"A gift is not a gift if it has conditions."
News • Nov 03
Gen Z and millennials are now most at risk of extortion scams. Why — and how good digital hygiene can help protect you
A “deep digital footprint" may be helping scammers.
News • Nov 03
Gen Z and millennials are now most at risk of extortion scams. Why — and how good digital hygiene can help protect you
A “deep digital footprint" may be helping scammers.
Investing • Nov 03
I’m 45 with a $200K sum I want to invest so I can retire by 67 with $100K/year. Should I focus on dividends or growth?
Do the numbers work?
Investing • Nov 03
I’m 45 with a $200K sum I want to invest so I can retire by 67 with $100K/year. Should I focus on dividends or growth?
Do the numbers work?
Investing • Oct 31
Coca-Cola recalled potentially contaminated cans. Investors didn't blink — could the same scandal sink a small business?
When a company makes a mistake, its reputation can influence its recovery.
Investing • Oct 31
Coca-Cola recalled potentially contaminated cans. Investors didn't blink — could the same scandal sink a small business?
When a company makes a mistake, its reputation can influence its recovery.
Managing Money • Oct 29
‘You got a husband problem’: LA newlywed says her spouse is ‘financially irresponsible.’ Here’s Dave Ramsey’s advice
Having heart-to-hearts about cash shouldn't be all-out brawls.
Managing Money • Oct 29
‘You got a husband problem’: LA newlywed says her spouse is ‘financially irresponsible.’ Here’s Dave Ramsey’s advice
Having heart-to-hearts about cash shouldn't be all-out brawls.
News • Oct 29
California mom mulling marrying boyfriend with $2M trust fund wants prenup advice — but Dave Ramsey sees a huge red flag
Prenuptial agreements aren’t a fix-all.
News • Oct 29
California mom mulling marrying boyfriend with $2M trust fund wants prenup advice — but Dave Ramsey sees a huge red flag
Prenuptial agreements aren’t a fix-all.
News • Oct 28
Scammers are staking out Americans' front doors in a wily new debit card scheme — how the scam works and what to do
The wolf at the door may not be what you think.
News • Oct 28
Scammers are staking out Americans' front doors in a wily new debit card scheme — how the scam works and what to do
The wolf at the door may not be what you think.
Managing Money • Oct 25
Tariffs to cost global businesses $1.2T this year — with consumers shouldering brunt of it. How you can fight cost creep
The impact on individuals could be more substantial than you'd think.
Managing Money • Oct 25
Tariffs to cost global businesses $1.2T this year — with consumers shouldering brunt of it. How you can fight cost creep
The impact on individuals could be more substantial than you'd think.
News • Oct 22
Economist Mark Zandi says 22 states are already in recession based on 2 clear indicators — how to protect yourself now
Two big states are also said to be “treading water.”
News • Oct 22
Economist Mark Zandi says 22 states are already in recession based on 2 clear indicators — how to protect yourself now
Two big states are also said to be “treading water.”
Managing Money • Oct 21
Saying 'yes' to a wedding now costs as much as a month’s rent — how to say ‘I don’t’ to debt for someone else’s big day
Close to a third of Americans reported racking up debt to attend a wedding.
Managing Money • Oct 21
Saying 'yes' to a wedding now costs as much as a month’s rent — how to say ‘I don’t’ to debt for someone else’s big day
Close to a third of Americans reported racking up debt to attend a wedding.
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